EU to Ban "E171" in Food Products

EU to Ban "E171" from Food Products The European Union (EU) is preparing to ban titanium dioxide (E171), a food additive used in food products, starting in 2022. Stella Kyriakides, the European Commission member responsible for health and food safety, announced that EU member states have approved a proposal to ban the use of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive beginning in early next year. In the statement made, it was noted that titanium dioxide is used as a colorant in many products such as chewing gum, soup, meat broth and pastries, and that the ban decision is based on the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority that the substance cannot be considered safe in food. The ban will take effect in early 2022 unless it is challenged by the European Parliament (EP) or the EU Council. Some scientists argue that this substance is harmful to health. Various studies have also indicated that titanium dioxide can pass from the mother to the fetus in the womb. The use of titanium dioxide in food products had been banned in France the previous year.